Independence
We keep our research agenda free of commercial or partisan pressure.
About
About Calverne Institute
An independent nonprofit studying oceans, coasts, and climate resilience — and sharing what it learns openly.
Calverne Institute is an independent, nonpartisan research organization studying the ocean’s role in a changing climate. Its work spans physical oceanography, coastal science, climate adaptation, and open data.
The institute is structured as a research organization rather than a university. It does not grant degrees; instead it hosts fellows, runs training programs, publishes openly, and builds shared observation infrastructure with partners along the coast.
Our mission
Calverne Institute studies how oceans and coastlines respond to a warming climate and helps communities, scientists, and public agencies plan for change with clearer, openly shared evidence.
Principles
How we work
Openness
We publish data, methods, and code so others can check and build on our work.
Usefulness
We measure success by whether our work helps real coastal decisions.
History
Milestones
2014
Institute founded
Calverne is established in Portland, Maine as an independent coastal-science nonprofit.
2016
First observation network
The nearshore sensor network begins continuous data collection at three sites.
2019
Coastal baselines framework
Publication of the shoreline-baseline framework used across later projects.
2021
Bergen office opens
A secondary office in Bergen, Norway supports North Atlantic collaboration.
2024
Marine Data Commons launches
Open datasets and reproducible workflows are consolidated into a public commons.
2026
A decade of data
The institute marks ten continuous years of nearshore observation.
Governance
How we are governed
Calverne is governed by an independent board of directors and guided by a science advisory board. Research priorities are set by staff and fellows, and results are published regardless of outcome.
11Board of directors
5Science advisors
2Offices
100%Open publications